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E46 Xi Forum The E46 XI was produced from 01-05 in sedan and touring body styles. Powered by either a 2.5L inline 6 in the 325xi or a 3.0L inline 6 330xi. Discuss all thing about BMW AWD E46 'Xi' here.

My xi is suffering from the common broken rear springs. I have located an OEM replacement by way of Lesjofors springs (part 4208431). However, on all the sites it's indicated that this spring will only work for 2002-2003 xi's with manual transmissions. And, i own one with automatic and sport package. I am aware the sport package does not affect the suspension options on an xi. So, is there another reason for this distinction? Wouldn't the spring rates be the same?

I just had mine replaced in the rear. They were broken for at least 2 months I think (I remember the bang while one broke).

Just an aside question - what do they accomplish because with a broken spring I didn't notice any difference in driving, no sagging rear end, etc. Are they just there to assist the shocks, which can stand up on their own as long as they're working?

I just had mine replaced in the rear. They were broken for at least 2 months I think (I remember the bang while one broke).

Just an aside question - what do they accomplish because with a broken spring I didn't notice any difference in driving, no sagging rear end, etc. Are they just there to assist the shocks, which can stand up on their own as long as they're working?

you don't notice right away, some drivers don't notice for long period of time including Grandma.

Spring keeps your car lvl correct.
Shocks takes the hit from pot holes and yes spring also works together to help.

Get that fix before it affects handling ability and put stress on bushings etc.

Lesjofors 4208431 is for standard suspension, meaning they are a bit longer then m-sport ones. I have 4208431 (got by by mistake) and its 24-25 cm in height. Try to measure yours, so you'll get some ideas. But, my guess would be that yours are shorter, as its sport suspension.

blows my mind how BMW can make the cars they do and have springs that break... But... here's what I discovered

Aftermarket springs listed for the E46 XI along with other models, as in you'll see "325i 325ci 325xi 330ci 330xi, etc" don't work with the xi (that's what Pelican told me).
There are actually 2 types of non appropriate "XI" springs (regular and heavy duty). Good luck getting the actual spring rates out of these dingleheimer manufactuers to do a real comparison. I'm sure a search here will find the standard rear spring rate... but also no guarantee.

All this considered, and the fact that a single rear spring was $175... I went eibach... Better to have a slighly lower slightly better handling car with quality springs than pay more for overpriced BMW or unknown aftermarket IMO...

bikesandcars, i was one of those customers...i ordered the HD suplex rear springs p/n 06164...they are about an inch too tall compared to stock and I could not install them by bending down the swing arm whereas my stock springs i can swap easily. From checking the website they no longer advertise thse fitting the xi's. My car is an 03 xi, 5spd, sport, 1 green stripe on the rear spring. jeepo23, what color-code springs came off your car?? curious how you got the new ones to fit whereas mine did not. I thought all xi springs were the same height just different rates, depending on installed options.

I put the new spring (Suplex HD) besides my old spring (cracked at the very bottom) and they were on par height wise.

Not sure why you weren't able to put the spring in? I just undid my lower shock and pressed down on the brake disc old one popped off with a little wiggle using a crowbar. To get the new one in I just placed the bottom part of the spring in and then used the crowbar again to pry it in.

I saw another couple of guys talking about using the same spring on their XI's. I also had a thread about a week ago or so on here with the same question and they told me that's the one.

ha! I was a little exuberant above... but seriously...this little spring escapade cost me about $100 more than I was planning and gave me a lower suspension that I didn't want (by pushing me into eibach's). It would be nice to figure out what's going on so more folks dont waste money because of what the forums or what pelican tells them.

It seems like either a supplier problem (supplier is shipping different sized or non-fitting springs to different folks under same part #) or an installer problem (a few folks told pelican they wouldn't fit).

I am in the same boat with my 02 325xi. I am replacing rear struts and my springs are not broken just old and figure while im doing struts I might as well do springs. Can't find springs that don't lower the car except oem for like 175 a piece. If anyone knows where to get aftermarket cheaper let me know please or I will just leave the old ones in.